"For example, Rogers - Canada's sole GSM provider and therefore the only telecom company currently equipped to offer the iPhone - offers a starter data plan that provides 1.5 megabytes of data per month for $15 (each additional MB is $21). Since that is not even enough data to download a single high-resolution photograph, most consumers presumably opt for more. The company's biggest data plan provides 500 MB, yet costs $210 per month - far beyond the reach of most consumers."

I really hate the idea that I'm defending Rogers but this info is now outdated. For an "internet stick" the plan is still not great but you get 500MB per month for $25, 1 GB per month for $30, 3 GB per month for $60 or 5 GB for $80. For a smart phone data plan you get $45 300 Anytime (35¢ per additional minute) Unlimited Evenings & Weekends (9pm) 500 MB $0.03 / MB or for $70 550 Anytime (35¢ per additional minute) Unlimited Evenings & Weekends (9pm) 1 GB $0.03 / MB

I really hate the idea that I'm defending Rogers but this info is now outdated. For an "internet stick" the plan is still not great but you get 500MB per month for $25, 1 GB per month for $30, 3 GB per month for $60 or 5 GB for $80. For a smart phone data plan you get $45 300 Anytime (35¢ per additional minute) Unlimited Evenings & Weekends (9pm) 500 MB $0.03 / MB or for $70 550 Anytime (35¢ per additional minute) Unlimited Evenings & Weekends (9pm) 1 GB $0.03 / MB

It might be a little expensive but at least in New Zealand like in Europe, Australia and possible Canada, we get this this called 'coverage', you know, when you move slightly out of the big cities we can get a signal. Kinda helpful if you go on a trip.

True, Rogers data plans are a little bit better these days. My cynical suspicion is that the lower rates for data are driven entirely by the iPhone, that it effectively put Rogers between a rock and a hard place.

I'm sure they were getting non-iPhone customers complaining to them ("Why do iPhone customers get 6GB/month, but I'm paying $200 for 500MB?"). And, on the other side, I'm sure that people paying nearly $100/month for an iPhone wouldn't have been happy to get bills for going over their data transfer quota.

Caller ID is also an extra charge for mobiles in Canada, something like $6-$9 CAD/month.

We pay the most for the worst service in the world, basically.

Sure is awesome having three companies control 100% of the wireless market up here. Amazingly they all offer similar products and services at exactly the same price points... no sir, no collusion going on!

Seriously considering just dropping my cell phone in August when my contract is up.

Their pricing has improved a bit, as I acknowledged in another comment. They probably weren't thrilled about the "publicity" that CBC gave them, by pointing out that Canada was the 2nd most expensive place in the world to own an iPhone (and 1st, after an initial promotion expired).

They don't seem to have upgraded data plans for older phones, though. E.g., my aging Treo still seems to have the $15 for 1.5 MB/month plan.